AROUND 90 BELFAST DIAGEO workers, members of the trade union Unite, have voted to take strike action after rejecting what the union called an “inadequate” pay offer from management.

The workers are to begin an eight-day strike from 7am on Friday, which will continue through to the early hours of Saturday 19 December.

“A previous eight-day strike was due to commence on Friday 5 December but was suspended by workforce reps to allow consideration of the new pay offer made the day before,” Unite said in a statement.

The Belfast canning site where the employees work will be “shut down” by the strike.

The workers are seeking a pay deal that would end the pay gap with Diageo’s site in Runcorn, England.

The union has suggested that the strike may cause a shortage of Guinness Zero over Christmas, something that has been refuted by Diageo.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Diageo is one of the largest and most profitable drinks companies in the world. It can afford to level up its workers pay but has chosen to put profits before people.

“Now it will see empty shelves as our members take to the picket line and shut down their factories. It needs to recognise the determination of this workforce to win fair pay and make a fair pay offer.”

A Diageo spokesperson said: “While we are disappointed by the outcome of the vote on what we believe was a more than fair and reasonable offer, we remain committed to constructive dialogue with the Union and its representatives to reach a resolution that supports the long-term competitiveness of the packaging site and the interests of our people.

“We respect the right of employees to take industrial action. To reiterate – there will be no disruption to the supply of Guinness or Guinness 0.0 over the Christmas period.”